EPA v. CENTURY ALLUMINUN OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.

Case summary

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 - CONSENT AGREEMENT On June 26, 2024, the EPA and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), which is now SCDES, ? conducted a compliance evaluation inspection (CEI) at the Facility. The EPA's findings of the CEI were documented in a report that was emailed to the Respondent on January 13, 2025. Following the CEI, the Respondent provided additional information to the EPA and SCDES in emails sent on July 3 and 24, 2024, March 28, 2025, May 6, 2025, and October 27, 2025. Inspectors observed an aerosol can puncturing device on top of a metal container in a SAA identified as SA-2. The metal container had a Hazardous Waste label and indicated that the container held Paint Aerosol Liquid identified with EPA Hazardous Waste Numbers. Inspectors observed that the puncturing device was not in use and was initially open at the time of the CEI but then was immediately closed. Inspectors observed a 55-gallon metal container in a SAA inside the Universal Waste Connex outside the hazardous waste central accumulation area (CAA) adjacent to Building 139. The container held broken lamps being managed' as hazardous waste. The container was labeled as Hazardous Waste and was marked with a Class 9 DOT label but was not marked with an indication of the hazards of the contents. Inspectors observed the following conditions in and around a containment building identified as Containment, where aluminum pots are cleaned and repaired at the Facility. Upon review of the Respondent's weekly inspection records tor Containment Building 138 from January 2023 to May 2024, inspectors observed that: a. Forty (40) such records noted instances of material tracking in the area outside of containment, and some also noted visible SPL on outside storage pad and SPL residue on Mobile equipment/trailers/containers, with no record of corrective actions taken to clean-up, mitigate or prevent the tracking of hazardous waste out of the building; b. Facility personnel had recorded No in response to the line item Building roof and walls free of damage? on 16 weekly inspection records, with no record that the identified conditions were promptly repaired; and c. The Respondent failed to provide any record of having inspected Containment Building 138 for a total of 34 weeks in the time period from January 2023 through March 2024. Inspectors observed that the Respondent maintained a contingency plan dated October 2020 for the Facility; however, the Respondent did not have a QRG and, therefore, had not submitted a copy of any QRG to local emergency responders and/or a Local Emergency Planning Committee at the time of the CEI .inspectors observed a 6-foot container and two other containers of universal waste lamps in the Universal Waste Connex outside the CAA. The containers were not fully closed to prevent breakage or release of the contents. Inspectors observed a 5-foot container of universal waste lamps in the SAA identified. The container was not labeled with the words Universal Waste-Lamp(s), or Waste Lamp(s), or Used Lamps. Respondent failed to demonstrate the length of time that universal waste lamps had been accumulated in the following containers: a. A 5-foot container of universal waste lamps that was not marked or labeled with an accumulation start date in the SAA identified as SA-2A in Building 270; and b. Four 4-foot tube containers of universal waste lamps which were not marked or labeled with an accumulation start date in the CAA adjacent to Building 139. Respondent consents to the payment of a civil penalty, which was calculated in accordance with the Act, in the amount of THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-SEVEN DOLLARS ($353,557.00), which is to be paid within 30 days of the Effective Date of this CAFO.

Defendants (1)

• CENTURY ALLUMINUN OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• ALUMAX OF SOUTH CAROLINA INC

  3575 US-52, GOOSE CREEK, SC, 29445

  Registry ID: 110056954470

Statutes cited

• RCRA 3004VU — TSD Corrective Action
• RCRA 3005 — Permits for Treatment, Storage, or Disposal of Hazardous Waste
• RCRA 3002 — Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• CENTURY ALLUMINUN OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.entered 2026-09-24

  Primary law: RCRA

  Federal penalty: $353,557

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2026-09-24Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2026-09-24Final Order Issued
• 2026-09-28Enforcement Action Data Entered